scraped is the sky

the song always brings tears to my eyes
but that's not now there is no time for that
we've got to find the latest-minted lies
or to proclaim that so-and-so's a cat
or praise their new invention to the skies
in instantly forgotten tv chat
just so the masses can feel they have got
a sense that they are owners of the lot

the music changes to a thoughtful note
but will be followed by announcer's speech
she'll give her normal maunderings full throat
but marketing decisions dictate reach
at least she's not a sacrificial goat
or whale that lies deserted on the beach
announcing music's not an easy job
when you've got tons of adjectives to lob

i've got some people for whom i must wait
so i sit here though i have work to do
though they're aware i'm busy they'll be late
it's the same story here the whole day through
the train has always caught them at the gate
though their objective they can clearly view
the sort of thing that we just blame on fate
though when you travel is a thing of choice
such words will not be uttered in my voice

you've got to wonder at the way the sky
seems joyful cloudless a bright clear blue
presaging warmth when that's just a plain lie
this is the kind of weather that brings flu
the frozen air will make you wonder why
you chose to go outside to see the view
or why you cannot on this day just shirk
your obligations and stay home from work

but duty calls and you'll answer her call
to do your job and to complain in quiet
to note the mould that's growing on the wall
and wonder if it'll make you sooner buy it
whether you call the season autumn or fall
you want to do something to defy it
but there's no hope you grimly realise
and all these thoughts just stay behind your eyes